She let her eyes stay on Aaron a second longer than the others, before leaving. Braden bowed slightly towards him. “See man, it’s the muscles.”
They laughed and settled into discussing the budget, which was typically the same every year. There was a suggestion to add on, expanding into the next county. Soon it was tabled and the four jokes like they always did, as if it were 20 years ago all over again. As time went on Hunter and Aaron both left, leaving Braden an opportunity to bring up the subject bothering him.
“So you and Lila?” Braden arched an eyebrow at him.
“What about her” Eric was toying with his fork, thinking.
“I just want to check on you, I mean she seems nice and everything, but I mean as long as it’s not serious.”
“What does that mean Braden?” He shifted his attention to Braden now, paying much closer attention.
“I mean she’s not from here Eric that’s all.”
“I know that Braden, that’s why I like her. She’s not from here, she not one of us.” Eric gave him a half smile.
“I guess that does have some appeal. I just worry about you, that’s all…” He trailed off.
“You mean because of Nicole?” Eric looked back at the table.
Braden swallowed hard. “Not entirely, I’m just saying I don’t want you to get hurt, that’s all.”
“Braden, I appreciate that, really. It's fine, trust me. Why are you so concerned about this?”
“Like I said, you just seem so preoccupied lately, I just wonder if maybe she has an ulterior motive, does she know how much you're worth?”
Eric tossed his napkin on the table. “Ok, I’m done. She is a nice girl; we enjoy each other’s company. She isn’t looking to take my money Braden, so let it go. I’ll talk to you later.” He left, walking casually to his car.
Left alone, Braden thought more about the situation. He hadn’t meant for Nicole to come up, but the fact was she had. He had to wonder if Eric knew the truth, all of the truth that is. Of them all Eric was too nice, always ready to trust people. Even with Nicole he had given her too much of him, leaving him broken. He didn’t want to see his friend like that ever again. It may be a better idea to get a little more information about Lila McCann.
***
A few hours later Braden knew more about Lila, more than she would probably appreciate. She was practically broke, she only had one living parent, her mother. Her father had died years ago, he felt a twinge of sympathy at that, and she had a sister, adopted but they had grown up together nonetheless. She worked two jobs, and a side job which he found to be the most interesting. She was in financial trouble, her mother was in some run down home, yes she was up to something. It may be best to just go see her himself.
Chapter 7
Lila
The world was spinning as she moved beneath him She wanted it all, to feel the heat of him. Nothing was this good, she felt him moving, lifting her body with his until he was standing behind her. He held her there, not letting her move. His face was too close to hers, but she knew he liked that. He liked to make her body respond and watched the myriad of emotions cross her face as she found release. He grabbed her hair and gently moved her with him until she was on her back. She whimpered once more as he tied first one and then the other wrist to the headboard above her.
“Please.” She whispered shuddering as he moved then putting a silk ribbon across her mouth so that she couldn’t speak, couldn’t move her upper body at all.
“I told you not to say a word.” She felt the heat of his breath on her face as he said the words calmly.
He started with her collarbone, kissing then biting his way with gently nips down the front of her frame. He let his hands move up her thighs gently and her hips arched in anticipation of his touch. Finally, he found his mark, slipping in first one finger to trace the outline of her womanhood, slipping into the wet heat of her. She was more than ready, she was aching and he knew it. He moved again, this time adding a third finger as he pushed into her. She was alive and on fire, moving with his hand, needing release. It didn’t matter what he was doing, or who he was at the moment, no all that mattered was traveling this familiar road and seeking her ultimate pleasure. She felt his mouth suddenly on one of her massive breasts, now wet and aching as he licked first one peak and then another. She watched him lick the nipple harshly, almost angrily. His eyes met her for a moment and his hand stopped suddenly allowing him time to move between her thighs.
She felt the heat of his mouth once more, this time on her tiny bud of excitement. Her hips arched off the bed and he grabbed them in his hands, all the while looking down at her face as he sucked hard on the tiny jewel. She felt it then, the achingly sweet heat of release as it rose up in her. She moved her hips faster and faster against his face as she grinded against him. She was no longer in control as her hips bucked wildly against his mouth. Suddenly she felt him stop, her moan more out of frustration than anything else. It only lasted a moment as he slowly and deliberately slid his hard length inside her deep and full. Even now she moved, begging him with her body to move faster, to take everything she offered him. But still he moved slowly, pulling out completely and then thrusting in deep again in one thrust.
Soon it was almost too much, every nerve ending in her body was alive with the excitement and angst she felt. She wanted it hard and fast, she needed release, yet he continued on with his punishment. He was only a man, however and she felt the shift in him change gradually. His thrusts became more direct, and he was soon pumping into her faster and faster. He moved to push her knees up to her head and he used her, harder than ever before. She whimpered now, through the silk, she felt the world spinning around her as she reached that final peak and she yelled out his name…. Braden…
“Braden…. what the.” Lila hit the delete button quickly, sitting back lost in thought.
She needed a break that’s all it was. It had to be. There was no mistaking the fact that she had thought of him more than once since the party. Now he was in her thoughts as she tried to work. He was the most arrogant, selfish oaf she had ever met, yet he was still in her thoughts and she hated it. She put her head in her hands frowning, resting for a moment. She didn’t even hear the door open in her office.
“Napping on the job sweetheart? I bet that’s frowned upon by the faculty around here.”
She snapped her head up, blushing. “Braden, sorry, I just have been writing that’s all. What can I do for you?” She pushed her glasses back up.
“No worries dear, I was actually just giving you a hard time. I wanted to see if we could talk for a moment… about Eric.”
She frowned concerned. “Is he ok? Is something wrong?”
“No, not at all, truth is I wanted to talk about you, and Eric.” He made his way into her office, settling into one of the overstuffed chairs across from her desk. He glanced around the room, taking it in.
“Please have a seat.” She offered sarcastically at his already seated frame. She moved around the desk and sat down in her chair, glancing carefully at her laptop. “What exactly are you concerned about Montgomery?”
“Braden, please I feel like we can at least use first names at this point.”
“Fine, Braden do tell.” She waited, watching him as he seemed almost uncomfortable shifting in his seat.
“I’ll be honest with you, Eric is a nice guy, probably the nicest of all of us. He is giving, sometimes too giving. I just don’t want him to get hurt, I just want to know where you see things going?”
“You can’t be serious.” She was fuming, but doing her best to not yell at him, though he was pushing her.
“I am in fact. I don’t know much about you aside from the fact that you’re not from here.” He looked at her intently.
Self-conscious now, she smoothed down her dress, unsure of how to take his statement. “Yes, that is very obvious isn’t it. I am not from here, as you so eloquently put it. I am not from a rich family, nor do I want to be. Is your
concern about money?” Her words were clipped.
“Well, the thought had crossed my mind, I’m simply asking Lila.” He sat up, gazing at her reaction to his words.
“I see.” She moved standing now. “For your information Montgomery, I don’t have any interest in money, Eric’s or otherwise. Now if you don’t mind, we poor people have to work, you know so that we can pay bills and things that you wouldn’t understand.” Her voice had gone up an octave now.
He stood, moving towards her. “I am just being a good friend sweetheart, that’s all.” He was close enough now that she could feel the heat coming off of him.
“I would think that as a good friend, you would trust his instincts then. Despite what picture you seem to have painted of me in your head, I am not a bad person.” She tipped her head up to look into his eyes.
“How do you know what picture I’ve painted of you in my head sweetheart? I think you may be surprised.” He almost whispered it, speaking quietly.
“You know exactly what I meant.” She meant it to sound harsh, instead she sounded like a child, she almost hated herself for it, she looked down.
He lifted her chin once more, letting his finger rest there. “Do you love him, Lila?”
“Love him?” She gulped, still unable to move. “I care for him deeply.”
“That’s not an answer, sweetheart.” He moved closer until she felt the wall behind her.
“It’s none of your business Montgomery.” She felt her anger return, her eyes shooting daggers at him.
“That’s all the answer I needed.”
She felt the heat of him engulf her as his mouth found hers. He was firm and seeking, his kiss was quick at first. He pulled way long enough to look into her eyes before he descended again, this time he put his hand in her hair tipping her head back to drink from her lips. He slipped his tongue into the sweetness of her mouth and she responded, unable to do anything else. She felt his hand move to the small of her back, pulling her even closer. Deeper still he kissed her, until her alarm went off to call her mother.
The spell broken, he took two steps back, putting distance between them. She slid down into her chair, her knees weak. She turned off the alarm, before looking up at him. He seemed to be as affected as she did, which helped to make her feel better, slightly.
“Lila, I’m sorry that was… well unexpected.” He ran a hand through his black hair, then looking down at her.
“It’s ok, I don’t know what that was. It's fine, let’s just forget about it.” She stood now, finally regaining some composure.
“I don’t think it’s fair to Eric, it’s obvious that you don’t feel for him the way he does about you.”
“You kissed me Montgomery!” She felt unwanted tears prick at the back of her eyelids.
“That may be so, but you kissed me back.” He made his way to the door. “Also, I know about your side business, it is probably not a good idea to do that at work.” He slipped out of her room quickly, leaving her staring at his back.
He knew. He knew what she wrote, and was letting her know that he knew all about it. It was his way of telling her to leave Eric alone. She touched her fingertips to her lips, still swollen from his kiss. She didn’t even want to start sorting that out. He had only done it to point out she was seeing Eric for the wrong reasons, that she would just move on to the next one. She felt the tears stream down her face. He had hurt her, not even knowing her at all.
Chapter 8
Braden
He was a son of a bitch and he knew it. He took another shot of the strong amber liquid. He had never had any intention to kiss her. It hadn’t been part of the plan at all. He was simply going to tell her to come clean or else he would tell Eric about her side business. Instead, he had taken advantage of her, and throw it back in her face.
He wasn’t even sure why he kissed her in the first place. He had looked down into her eyes and it had just happened. Not only had it happened, he had gone back for a second one, even more intense than the last. Even now he could feel her frame as he pulled her into him. He shifted uncomfortable in his seat, still throbbing from their encounter. He felt awful, he would apologize to her. He may be a rake and a playboy, but this wasn’t him at all, and something about her thinking it as didn’t sit well with him. He was still thinking about it when the door opened and Nicole came in.
Nicole, was a model, a very well-known one actually. The epitome of style, and well aware of her assets, she was his step-sister, her mother marrying his father three years ago. She was perfectly formed her white blonde hair fell to her shoulders, her breasts were high and just full enough. She was also the one who had broken Eric’s heart, and Braden’s dirty little secret. They had an arrangement of sorts between them. Lovers, both looking for someone to vent to and not wanting the attachment. There was no romance between them, only lust, physical and empty. They both used to other to fit into what they needed, and it worked.
She looked at him making her way over to the desk, letting her clothes drop as she went. Silently she took the glass out of his hand and he stood, pulling her to him, his mouth hard and demanding as he kissed her. There was nothing there, but the need to find release, as the two of them stripped down, eager to please themselves. She was there, and he was aching as he sought to pull her down onto him. She moaned as she did neither of them saying a word, mindlessly moving to a mutual destination. He pushed her back on the desk, spreading her wide, using her body for himself, and he heard her release come fast and quick. He was blinded by her ability to give him a quick release. He soon followed suit, his hard and strong as he envisioned another face, framed in dark hair.
It was over quickly, for them both. She smiled down at him as she redressed.
“You are certainly full of stress today Braden dear.”
“It’s been a long day.”
“I can see that. She turned to face him once more.
“Does this make you happy Nicole, whatever this is between us?” He waited for her to answer.
“It works for where we are in life right now Braden, don’t overthink it.” She moved towards the door. “Get some rest Braden you need it.”
He watched her as she went, still staring at the door as it closed behind her. Nothing felt right today, everything seemed out of place. Kissing Lila, now Nicole. He seemed to be consistent in making his life more and more complicated. Tomorrow he would go see her, and apologize. She would likely want to kill him, but he would have to take that chance.
Chapter 9
Lila
It really didn’t matter what Braden thought of her. She was doing her best to reassure herself of that fact as she shared a simple lunch with Eric. Even he seemed a little withdrawn today, as if the world was on his shoulders.
“Eric, are you ok, you seem very preoccupied today?” She furrowed her brows in concern for him.
“I am fine, I just need to share something with you, get your opinion on it.” He looked up at her eagerly.
“Of course Eric, that’s why I am here.” She gave his hand a reassuring pat, and he took her hand in his, holding it.
“I am going to be away next term. I am doing an internship in Washington. I haven’t told anyone; my father thinks I need a semester to “play” as he calls it.”
“Wow, that’s great Eric really great.” She was genuinely happy for him, though she would miss his company.
“The thing is I have been thinking about you a lot Lila. I know we are great friends, I was just thinking maybe while I am gone you would consider taking things further with me, another step so to speak.”
She swallowed hard. Her eyes meeting his, she thought about her last interaction with Braden.
“You don’t have to give me an answer right now Lila, I just want you to think about it while I am gone.” He gave her a warm smile still holding her hand.
“Of course I will Eric, of course. When do you leave?”
“I think I am going to head out Monday, I want to take my time whi
le I am there getting to know the way the hospital works and everything. I’ll be gone for a couple of months.”
“How exciting.” She listened as he explained everything he would be working on, and she loved seeing him light up about his work.
He left to head back to his apartment, and she headed to hers. She wasn’t really sure what she felt any more. Eric was such a great guy she should be head over heels about him. She could love him, and his sweet nature, but there was no real spark there, like she had initially thought. In the months that they had been dating he had never even kissed her, much less anything else. They had a wonderful connection, and something could be built on that. Her thoughts turned to Baden, though she hated even going there. He was all fire, and made her lose all sense of control. She had planned on telling Eric about the kiss, but since he had so much happy news to share with her she didn’t have the heart to do it.
As she was making her way inside she almost ran into someone. She glanced up and into the smiling face of Nicole.
“Hey there your Lila right?” She gave Lila such a warm smile she couldn’t help but return it.
“I am, I’m not sure if I know you though?” Lila gave her a confused look.
“Oh wow, I’m sorry. I am Nicole, I help out at Brighton from time to time. Wait, let me explain. I am Braden’s kind of step sister. That is our parent got married a few years ago. Trust me, he is NOT my brother in way, shape or form. So you’re the girl Eric is dating right?”
“Uh, well yes I suppose so.” She shook Nicole’s outstretched hand.
“Well, I’m glad we finally get to meet. I am hoping we can become friends. Anyway, I’m off to a shoot right now, but let’s get together, maybe for lunch, Wednesday?”
“Sounds great.” Lila smiled and gave her a wave as she left.
She shook her head, maybe she could actually find a friend to have around here after all. She threw her things into the chair in the bedroom, quickly changing into her comfortable clothes. It was a luxury she could afford herself, a clean house and sweatpants for after work, and writing time. She flipped open her laptop opening up her latest work. There was still something off about it, but her editor seemed to love it. She tried to start three times before getting up to make some coffee, that always helped. As she walked into the kitchen, she heard a sharp knock on the door. Frowning, she went to answer it.
Romance: Zach (A College Bad Boy Romance) Page 37
